Alternative To Kodak Portra 160NC?

[b.cipolla]

Kodak Portra 160NC is the only film I have shot 4x5 with since I have started (3 or 4 years ago). I just now found out that is has been discontinued. Would anyone be able to recommend a suitable substitute? I want to keep it a low ISO to reduce grain and I liked that the Portra NC did not have exaggerated, over-saturated colors. My first guess was to try Ektar 100, but I'm afraid the colors will be too saturated. Suggestions?

[Dave Grenet]

Kodak Portra 160? The new one that replaces 160NC and VC.

[Noah A]

I'd definitely try the new Portra 160 or even the new Portra 400.

I've always shot Portra 160NC and 400NC so I was a bit worried when they were replaced with new versions. I haven't gotten my hands on the new Portra 160 yet, but the new 400 is brilliant.

I did a few test print sections from 160NC, 400NC and the new Portra 400. The negs were drum scanned at 4000dpi. I then printed the file at what would be the equivalent of a 60x75in. print. Yes, a huge print, but I wanted it to be a difficult test.

I was very happy with the new film. It may be a tiny bit more saturated than the old NC films, but not by much. Contrast was also similar, perhaps a touch higher in the new film but not enough to worry about. The new film seemed sharper than the old films and the grain was outstanding. Even in the HUGE print sizes of my test, the grain of the new 400 looked very similar to the old 160!

It was good enough that I decided to just stick to the Portra 400 for everything and not bother with the 160. But that was before the NEW 160 came out...so we'll see.

[b.cipolla]

Ooh, okay. I read they were getting rid of VC and NC and just making Portra, but I had not seen any Portra 160 anywhere, so I thought they might have done away with that as well. Has anyone seen any Portra 160 on the market? I didn't see any on B&H or Adorama.

[Ivan J. Eberle]

Fujicolor Pro 160S is really nice stuff, too. It also has undergone a catalog number change recently. Has even tighter grain than (late great) Portra 160VC or NC, extremely clean whites and very neutral color balance, not oversaturated. I also like that it's been available in Quickloads (still available in Japan --or was-- in QLs).

[Ben Syverson]

I'm sure the 160 will be great, if the new Portra 400 is any indication.

If you have enough light, the 160 is cheaper and has finer grain. But there are times when you need that extra stop of speed.

[Struan Gray]

Has anyone looked at reciprocity failure and/or colour shifts on long exposures with the new Portras? I love how 160NC behaves with 30s-2min exposures in twilight.

[Drew Wiley]

Contrast and saturation-wise, the new 160 resembles the old 160NC more than VC,
while the 400 speed film more resembles the old 160VC.

[b.cipolla]

Where is everyone finding the new 160 4x5 film?

[Ben Syverson]

while the 400 speed film more resembles the old 160VC.

Hmm. Have not found this to be the case at all. In fact, I can't pick out the difference between the old 400NC and the new 400. Then again, I'm scanning, which acts to remove some of the differences you might pick up by printing wet.